Machine for heating and bending metallic printing plates, such as electrotype and stereotype plates



g' c. N. SMITH MACHINE FOR HEATING AND BENDING METALLIC PRINTING PLATES, SUCH AS ELECTROTYPE AND STEREOTYPE PLATES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lFiled May 5. 1924 ggww MA-CHINE FOR HEATING AND BENIN METALLIC PRINTING PLATES, SUCH AS ELECTROTYPE AND STEREOTYPE PLATES Filed May 5, 1924 2 Sheets-Shveet 2 PatentedAug. 30, 1927.

UNIT ED VS T TES. j EN T' O FF [C CHRISTIAN N. SMITH, 0F ELGIN, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OE ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM P. TOPPING, OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS; ALIOEI MINNIE SMITH A'N'DfLILY IRENEKSMITII EXECUTRICES OFI SAID CHRISTIAN N, SMITH, DECEASED.

MACHINE non HEATING AND BENIJING/METALLIC BRINTING PLATES, SUCH As ELEGTROTYPE AND sTnnEoTYrI-i PLATES.

`Application led, May 5, 1924. SeriaLNo'. V711,298.

This invention relates to that class ofk arintino'y plates such as eleetrot-7 e and l f3 A 7 stereotype plates, or. similar. plates, may be heated andfbent into-.curved form suitable tor use-in printing. L

The-principal object'rof theinvention is to provide a simple, economical and eiiicient machine for heating and bending metallic printing plates,such, for example, as electroty-pe and stereotype plates, Aand the like.

A furtherl object. ot the invention is to provide animprovedmac-hine or apparatustor heating and bending a ymetallic printing platev together with va filler member formed of-compressible sheet material aoapt.-

ed to-engagefand-fill the interstices and derangements of parts, and method orimodeoft' operation herein described andclaimed.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is aview in=` front elevation partly in centrali vertical' section, of' a machine constructed; in accordance with my invention: l

Fig. 2 is a view in-horizontalsection tali-en on line 2 2 of Fig. 1, looking downward 'and showing a top plan view of the rollsupporting,` turntable andot"I the stationary bed or table upon which'the rolls and the means for rotatively supporting therolls are mounted.;

Fig. B'i's'a` view intrans-v-erse vertical section taken on line 3e-3` otY Fig;A 2,' looking in the direction'indicated*by the arrows, and "'g mechanism tor actuating the t: orturntfble upon. wli'el'- 'the hollowV heating roll is supported, including theworm' and worm wheel tor rotating the turntable,'the clutch, and clutch operat-fl ing and lreleasing;mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a detail plan view of theupper part of the `frame in which the upper jourlnali bearings lor the 'rolls are located, in-

cludingfthe. upper adjustable or sliding f journal'bearing for the adjustable roll, and

tlie means tor removably holdingthe upper and bending rollsin operative position;

Fig. 5 is a detail View of; aV removable journall bearing` for an upper journal of a renjovable hollow heating and bending roll; GJis a'detail View in perspective, of a hollow heatingand bending. roll adapted to be ldetachably connected with. a rotative support or driving meansfor rotating lsuch roll., andprovided-with backing sheets and matrix-forming materialy adapted to pass between the rolls along with the metallic printing plate Ato be heated and bent, during the operation of. heating. and bending such printing plate. l

In constructing a machine for heating and' bending metallic print-ing plates, such for example, aselectrotype land stereotype plates,in' accordance with', my invention, I provide a trame` or stationarynbed 1 having supporting legs -2 adapted to support the b edin convenient position. A forwardlyprojectingfront: feedktable 3 is provided, which; is flushwiththe upper sur-face of the stationary beth and is adapted to engage and. support and. guide the bottom, edges ot 'metallic printing plates as the latter are placed in 'position to be engagedv and operated. upon4 byv and to pass between the hollow heating and` bending roll and the adjacent or, .auxiliary roll or rolls in the process of` heating and bending the printing plates.

Rotatively mounted in a recess i inthe stationary. bed or table 1y and supported by saidbed or frame, is aroll-supportingmeinber or turntable 5, which is by preference, circular and so mounted that.v its upper ilat roll-engaging and supporting surface 6A is fiuslfijv'ti the top surface of thestationary bedjvl, and adaptedto' rota-.tively si 'helle-a' heating and bending veil l there may be any desired number of different or varying vsizes adapted to be used r operated interchangeably upon the same turntable or rotative support 5.

rlChe rotative roll-si-.ipport or turntable 5 is provided with a vertical hollow spindle 8 which extends downward from the center of and is fixed tofand may beformed in one integral piece with the turntable.v This hollow spindle or shaft 8 is journaled in a suitable bearing 9, which is located at thev center of and extends downward from the recessed portion Ll of the stationary bed '1. and is lined to and rigidly supported by said bed, so as to form a strong and rigid Vertical liournal bearing adapted to rotatively support the hollow spindle or hollow shaft 8 in upright position, and to support the turntable 5 rotatively in horizontal position.r

with'its axis vertical and the top face of the turntable flush with the top surface of the stationary bed 1 and rotative within the recess 4 in the bed. y

The journal bearing 9 is attached to the stationary bed or frame 1 by means of an annular flange 1() and Vbolts 11, which eX- tend through perforations in Isaid flange and Yare anchored or in Vthreaded engagement with a suitably perforated annular flange 12 other suitable securing),Y means. And a worm or operating screw 16 is rotatively mounted in suitable journal bearings 17 in a depending supporting bracket or frame member 18 on or fixed to the frame 1in any suitable manner, for example by means of a frame member 19 on the depending frame portion or bracket 13l and securing bolts 20 which extend through suitable perfor-ations in the base of the bracket 18 and are secured in threaded engagementwith the frame portion 19. The worm shaft 21, to which the worm 16 is fixed by means of a key or other ordinary or suitable securing; means, is thus rotativ-ely supported by or journaled in the bearings 17, 17, and also, by preference, in a journal bearing 22, in a bracket or frame member 23, on orrforming a part of the frame of the machine. (See Figs. 1 and And means for driving or connecting the worm shaft 21 with a source of power such as an electric motor or an engine, not shown, is provided.

In the form of the device here shown a mechanism for causing the clutch to connect the driving wheel or pulley with the worm shaft to set the machine in operation or rotate the worm and worm wheel and thereby the turntable and heating' and bending` roll or rolls in the operation of 'heating and bending a metallic printing plate or plates. And the clutclrmechanism is, by preference, adapted to be automatically disconnected or thrown out ofclutch` so as to'discon-A nectthe driving wheel and'w-orm shaft., to permit the heating and bending' roll, and the worm and worm wheel mechanism and turn- .i

table to stop when desired, and yet permit the drivingr wheel to continue to rotate and to be connected with and disconnected from the worm shaft or driving mechanism for rotatingthe turntable and heating and bendingr roll.

For example, 4a clutch.y or clutch and clutch-operating mechanism may lbe provided and employed which comprises a clutch collar 25 mounted on and fixed to the worm shaft 21 by means of a tapered pin 267 or other suitable securing means, said clutch collar having` an annular peripheral slot 27 encirclinnjthe collar lbetween anannular end flange 28, and the annular er cylindrical main body portion ofthe clutch collar; and said clutch collar having .the usual longitudinally movable clutch pin mechanism slidably mounted in the clutch collar in parallel relation to the artis of the collar and worm shaft, and adapted to be moved into and out of clutching engagement with the hub of the clutch pulley 24:, so as to detachably connect the said pulley with the worm shaft and disconnect said clutch pulley and shaft, as desired or required. Y

As clutches suitable for this purpose are well known to those skilled in the art, including clutches having clutch pin; mechanism spring-pressed in Vone direction longitudinally of the clutch andv of the axis of the clutch and shaft and adapted to beY moved into and out of a suitably perforated hub or clutch member on or forminga part of the clutchl pulley or driving' wheel. such a-s the wheel 24;-such for example as the peripherally notched clutch pin 29 slidably mounted in the collar 25 and adapted to be meeuwen moved into and outof areceivingY opening;`

in thehubpof the :clutchrpulleyf'Orrin the:

clutch member fixed to: thedriving Wheel,

for detachablyi' connectingi the wheel .7241.A inl liXed relation toi andAY disconnecting.; said:

wheel from.. the worin-shaft, asY desired'. or"

required, iti is believed: tot be; unnecessary and undesirable to deseribeioraillustratefthe clutch or clutchemeehanismmpdetail further.--

gage the shoulder 32... of the clutch pin.29A

and tend to1pr'ess said clutchpin away from or. out of. clutching.. engagement with .the recessed clutch member or hubBlon or fixedV to the' clutch pulley. 24, when the part' 36 of the spring pressedlatchmember; or bolt BBis in its upper or. extended.' position. infthe peripheral slot 27,.as-shown.infFig. 3..

A clutch operating pedal 37, having a lever arm 38 is pivotally mountedion; the frame oi' the f machinevby. means ofi' a= pivot, rod` or'similari supporty 319 which. maybe of' sutticient lengthto extend tronroiie side. to the otherA of. the machine and havevits opposite ends supported in. theI lower portionstot a pair or' the legsof the machina as shown in F land 3. The lever arm 38"is'conneet-ed with the pedallin any. desired ordinary and well known or suitable.' manner, 'for example, by'means ot' a hollow'shaft' or slee-ve et() rotatively. mounted on theA rod 39 and xedfto andi formingv a connectionfbe'- tween the lever" arm 38'y and pedali arm or lever 37. A. bell crank ll is. pivotally. mounted on a suitable support, whichimay consist of a rodffl-2havingitsopposite ends supportedin correspondinglegs otl the ma.- chine frame.. One of. the' lever-arms ofi' the bell crank or lever 141i is-conneeted with the lever 38 of the pedalmechanism,by'means of a connecting' rodl or. link 43,' or. other` suitable connecting means; and the' other lever arm'A .it ot the bell crank-41 is-:con1 nected withthe spring-pressedbolt. or latch member 33 already describedgby meansY of a connecting rodi or linkf45, one en'dV of'fvvhich is connected with thet bolt 331 andi theV- other notched "clutch pin is: sprlngepressed in one` d1rect1on,;thatl isi'to f endfof which isconnected with they lever arm- A-l'iexible. connection is-thus tormedbetween the spring pressed latch or boltE 33 andthe pedalf37 or operatinglever arm 38 whichwmazy. be l'lized to oriorm al'part. of thej-pedahor otheriorm of opera-ting lever-Q Y Ana,automatic':clutch-actuating lever i6 isk pivotallyfmounted on a suitable support, j

such for example asia bracket armt lixedtofthe4 machine trame, and isoperatively connected with .the clutch.v mechanismi abovedescribechfbymeans voi a` connecting rodor link 48,'.tl1e-upper1 end oili'which is pivotally connected with the lever armv 46 and theI` loweraendfofi which ris connected with the .springfpressedclutch bolt or latch members already. described, and also `with theadja- .The automatic: clutch-operating. or; actuating leverxlthas a lever. arm 50 which is provided at` its outerw'liree lendtwith an antifrictionu'rollfl:y rotatively mounted in and.1novahle with said lever arm. The automatic clutcheactu'ating leven-(L6 which' also com-` prises-the:V lever armi 50: is pivotally supportedzin theebraclrettf by Ymeans otaapivot pin. o1'. bolty 5.2, .and isrop'erative'ly connected withthe turntable-5 anditsi hollow vertical spindle 8, by meansrot.v an annular-canil 53 which; is by. preference fixed to theworm wh'eelzlaialready described,` and encircles the axisfoff saidl wormzwheel and said spindle; The cam 'l'has an upwardly extending annular flangel portionv 54. which formsl the cam@ proper and'has anupper camr face' which isadaptedi tooperatively engage the free-end ofv the` automaticv clutch-actuating lever/arm 5.0 or; the antiit'rictionA roller,y 5l on said lever arm,l for actuating said lever arm and' thereby. the spring-pressed clutch bolt' 3-3- orl clutch mechanismi already describedl' A depresse'dzor vrecessed portion 56., whichextends part: wayY around the annular camand ismade by cutting away a segment on partfotf theannula-r cam flange 55 has its` upper: face below the level" otl the uppermost annular cam/tace portion, and is adapted' topermit thel free end ofi Vthe lever.v arm 50' and the anti-friction' roller thereon to' move downward: as the opposite extremityjof' the lever or lever armi6 is raisedv bythe upwardE pressure of the com-7 pressible' spring S of' the clutch bolt 33, whichfspringA tend'sfto press the clutch bolt v33 upward into they annular slot or groove 27 in the' clutch collar' 25, or in an opposite direction from that in which said springpressed clutch bolt 33 is moved by the pedal 37 and operating` lever arm 33 already described.

From the foregoing it will be readily seen that by pressing the pedal 37 downward the spring-pressed clutch bolt or latch member 33 is lowered or withdrawn from the annular peripheral slot 27 of the clutch collar 25, and the lcvcr arm t6 is at the samel time lowered, thus causing the actuating lever arm 50 to be raised so that its outer or free end and its anti-friction roller li1-are in the pressure of the compressiblc spring 35, even after pressure may have been removed from the pedal and from the operating lever 33,`

thus causing the clutch to engage and operatively connect the clutch pulley 1n fixed relation to or in operative engagement with the worm shaft, vand thereby causing the worm shaft, worm and worm-wheel mechanism, turntable and hollow heating roll on the turntable to rotate during any period ofY time in which the lever i6 is so operatively engaged and the lever arm 50 so held in raised position by the cam, or by the pedal mechanism, or by both cam and pedal.

From the foregoing it is obvious that pressure on the pedal may be continued for as long a period as may be desired, thereby holding the clutch-actuating lever arm 46 down and the lever arm 50 up or in its raised position independently of the cam or the position oit the cam, and even while the depressed portion 56 of the cam is passing beneath the anti-friction roller 51, as well as during any period of time in which the raised or uppermost cam face portion 55 is passing beneath said roller 51 and in position to hold said roller in its raised position in case the pressure on the foot pedal is removed, as it may be at any time. And when the pressure on the pedal is removed the lever arm 50 and roller 5l will be held in raised position only during such period as the upper cam face 55 continues to engage the lever arm 50 or roller 51; and as soon as the upper cam face 55 moves out of engagement with the lever arm 50 and its roller 51, the depressed or lower cam face portion 56 will release and permit the lever arm 50 and roller 51 to move downward as the lever arm 46 is raised by the action of the spring 35 which presses upward 'cnthe ployed.

clutch bolt orlatch member 33, thus causing the upper extremity 36 of the clutchnism4V out of clutch or to releasingposition .and permitting the clutchfpulley-to rotate freely without rotating the worm shaft, the

turntable or the heating and bending roll onk or connected with the turn tablef or' 4with p which the worm and worm wheel mechanism is connected. The worm shaft 21 thus re-v leased, will stop and remain stationary until the clutch is again actuated or thrown into clutching posit-ion by the pedal 37, or operating lever 38 or equivalent manually operable means for operating the clutch mechanism, which is Vaccomplished by withdrawing the clutch bolt 33 from theV slot 27 or from engagement with the clutch. pin which is held out of operative or clutching position by the clutch'bolt or latch member 33.

The pedal land clutch-operating lever mechanism and cam or camand tripping mechanism above described is adapted to ac-V tuate or connect and release any ordinary and well known or suitable form of clutch, with only such modifications as will be readily apparent by anyone skilled in the art to which this invention relates; and any ordinary and well known or suitable form of clutch adapted to enable the driving wheel or clutch pulley to be connected with and disconnected from the worm shaft or driving mechanism in aneiilcient manner is contemplated and may be used, although I prefer the clutch mechanism or clutch operating and releasing mechanism above described which has been found in practice to be very satisfactory and efficient.

Suitable means for operating or releasing the clutch in case of emergency is also provided, which may be of any ordinary and well known form of emergency clutch releasing or other safety device. For example, any ordinary and well known or suitable means for quickly throwing the belt 57 01T the .driving wheel or pulley 24, in case of emergency or for any reason, may be em- And as such safety or emergency releasing devices, and devices for stopping the operation of moving parts of a machine of this kind or similar machines are well lmown and in common use it is not deemed necessary or desirable to describe or illustrate the same in detail herein.

An oil reservoir and gearV guard '53 is mounted on a suitable support, such, 'for eX- ample, as a-supporting collar 59, ea-

GQ ai'ellixed to the stationary frame or .bed

l by bolts or other suitable securing means. .and a top frame member 64 eX- tends over the bed .from lside to side of .the bed orinaehine traine, and has its opposite ends rigidly connected with thecorrespond.- ing upper ends of the-standards 6l, 62 and held rigidly in place thereby.

i hollow heating and v bending roll 7, already mentioned, having a cylindrical peripheral wall 65, a bottom cylinder headior end wall 66., and an upper or removable head or end wall 67, all forming anrinner heatingor combustion cliamberf, and-provided with a gas burner 69 having a multiplicity ot' peritorations 70, leading'froma gas or fluid-fuel chamber 7l formed by and between the vburnerp'late 69 and the bottom tylinder head 66, is removably mounted on and 'detachably connected with and inztixed relation to the rotative roll support or turntable 5. The bottom cylinder headiorend wall (i6 has ti-central axial opening 72 which encircles and nts the upright yannular flange or iiin 78 on-or forming an integralpart of the turntable 5. `And a keyoiequivalent or other similar securing means .74is

secured in liXed/relation to the turntable :5

and its flange 73 and toftliefbottomwcylinder head @(3, which is providedwith an inner peripheral notch for receiving said Ikey .or

fastening means. ihe hollow heating and bending roll 7, or any desired number of .sin successiv ly-is thus detachablyqsecuredlto` 'li rolls; .of I different diaineters or rsizes and removablyV and interchangeably supported by and Connected and -adaptedutoirotate with the turntable 5. Rolls of ydifferent or various vsizes .may thus be usedssucces.

siyely and interchangeably, and -may .be successively .attachedl to iand i disconnected from the turntable and rremoved .andre- 'placed in any. desiredv order interchangeably without disturbing orremoving rthe lturntable or the driving mechanism orworin4 and worin wheel mechanism, or any oit' themeans t'oirotating'tlie hollowfheating and l.bending roll or rolls. Y rllie upright hollow spindle 8forms .an arial passage through the .worm wheel and turntable into the burner and combustiongor heating chamber in the inside of' the'. hollow heating' and bending roll. `And-.thepassage vthus termed is `adaptedto admitiluidfuel to i he interiorlot' any desirednumber .of interchangeable hollow heating and bending rolls successively inany desiredorden-and to the burneror burners oi' such :roll `or. rolls.

@from `And iagasor Ytluidffuel supply, pipe 7 5 which communicates Awitha source of vfuel or gas supply,1 may be mountedin `or extendloosely into the hollow spindle S which .leads to or .communicateswitli .the` interior ot' the burner (59 Vor `burner i chamber 7l mounted .on .the turntable. v And each hollow-heating bendingroll7 is; provided rwith suitable air in- .letopenings and outlet openings 77 .for ,permitting Vthe .escape of. ,air or ,products .of coiji'ibnstion. Ifrom they vcombustion or heating chambeirGS. l Y

The ,upper .end .wallfor cylinder head 67 is removably secured in placeby means of bolts 7.8 anchored in -tlifreadedl perforated boSses79-in the end of the. roll; .and aninner .flange 80 or similar yannular..shoulder Aor flange .engagesand serves tolhold the. e- -ripheralfmargin of .the removable .cylin er head accurately.. .in'its proper positionin the end of theroll. A. stub ,shaft,..aXle or journal 8l is fixed-to `and extends .upward .from

the axial center of each roll'7, and is ,providedwitli a loop orey-e 82,v 'Orirec'eiving a hook or cable endofa block yand tackle .or .other lifting means, for lifting and handling the roll in the operation of placing itlon the turntable or rremoving it thereyThe upper trame member 64 is provided with an openingor bearing'box 83 which is by preference flanged and angular, .and adapted to receive a removable support in operative .position ,a vjournal bearing .member 84 `which .encircles and is adapted torotatively supportthe axle or journal 8l inv operative position. And a retaining .block orz bar S5 A having an inner vshouldered portion v86 radapted to .extend :into lthe angular opening 83 is removably/secured to the ,wall .of said opening-'by means of headed Screws87, or vother suitable secuii'ngineans. .Anti-friction rollers-,or wheels'SS having upright yeccentricailes .or 'journals 89 are rotatively mounted adjacentv lto l the periph- :eral margin Oitliere'cess or opening l in the stationary bed l, andV in engagement with the-adjacent peripheralmargin of the turntable 5;, and are 'adapted' to `resist side pressure againstItheiroll supported yby the turntable by-resisting side-,pressure of the turntable which ,may `result from pressure against' the hollow heating and bending'roll `when iny operation in heating and bending a vmetallic printingrplate.

An auxiliary bending roll 90 having an upright ,axle 91 is rotatively. mounted adjacent uto and has its axviswparallel :with .the vertical vaxis ot' the -hollow'fheating and '.bendingroll 7 on' and rotatable with the turntable' 5. The 'roll vv90v hasy its vlower axle end or journal 92rotatively mountedin a vsliding or adjustable bearing block 93, which is slidablyy supported inan elongated opening 94C thest-ationary bed 1,.v and adapted mined adjusted positions.

to be moved or adjusted to any desired predetermined adjusted position in said opening, or toward or away from vthe adjacent roll 7 and turntable 5. I

The other or upper end journal of the roll 90 is rotativelymounted or journaled in a similar sliding bearing block` 96 which is slidably mounted in and adjustable in a similar manner in an upper elongated opening 97 in the upper frame member 641. rlhe roll "90, with its adjustable journals and journal boxes or supports is thus adapted to be moved toward and from the adjacent roll 7 and the turntable 5, to dierent predeterand the same roll 90 is thus adapted to coact with different hollow heating rolls 7 of dilerent or varying sizes, used successively and interchangeably upon the turntable and adapted f` to admit a metallic printing plate or plates between the rolls in the process or operation of heating and bending such printing plate or plates; v Y

Suitable means is provided for adjusting and securely'holding the roll`90 in any desired predetermined adjusted'position with respect to thezadjacent hollow heating roll 7 and turntable: For example, each of the sliding journal bearings or bearing blocks 93, 96, is provided with a headed and screwthreaded adjusting screw 97. Each of these adjusting screws has its head rotatively mounted in a suitable opening or slot 98 in the corresponding sliding bearing block. And each of said screws extendsthrough and is in screw-threaded :engagement with suitable scr-ew-threaded openings 99Y in the frame of the machine, for example, inthe Y upper frame member 64 and bed 1 respecu tively.

(See Fig. l.)

An upright adjListing-screw-operating shaft 100, is rotativelyvmounted in suitable bearings 101, 101 in the machine frame; and bevel gear wheels 102, 10Q are fixed to opposite ends of said shaft. 2 i

Each adjusting screw 97, 97, is arovided Awith a similar bevel gear wheel 103 mounted thereon and rotative therewith, and each in threaded engagement with an adjacent corresponding bevel gear wheel 102 on the shaft 100. Each gear wheel 103 is operatively connected with its corresponding' screw 97 by means of a feather or spline 1011 fixed to such gear wheel and slidably mountedV in and 'movable longitudinally' of a longitudinal peripheral slot 105 in such adjusting screw.

Each gear wheel 103 is thus adapted to permit the corresponding adjusting screw 97 to move longitudinally as such screw is rotated with and by means of its gear wheel 103. And each adjusting screw thus rotated, being yin threaded engagement with its threaded supporting openings 97, causes a corresponding sliding bearing'blocl; '93, 96 to move with such adjusting screw toward the same.

or from the adjacent roll 7 and the turntable, according to the direction of Vrotation of the adjusting screw or screws, both of which are thus rotated inunison. Suitable operating means such as a hand wheel 106 is provided, for rotating the shaft 100, to actuatev the adjusting screws 97 and thereby adjust the roll 90 toward or from the roll 7 as desired.

The hollow heating and bending VVroll is' provided with a peripheral printing-plateengaging bar 107 which extends longitudinally of the roll and, by preference, from end to end thereof, rand in parallel relation to the axis of the roll.

This plate-holding strip 107 is provided with al side flange 1 08 which projects over a corresponding inner longitudinal marginal notch or recess 109, which is adapted to receive andremovably hold in position the corresponding adjacent marginal portion or edge of a metallic printing plate, such as an electrotype or stereotype plate 110 to be heated and bent. The marginal flange 10S projects over the adjacent marginal portion of the metallic printing plate and acts to removably but rmly hold said margin between the flange and theadjacent peripheral surface of the roll 7 during the operation of heating and bending the plate. An outer flexible backing sheet or plate 111, which is by preference, made of flexible sheet metal, extends over the outside of the plate-hold ing bar 107 and from end to end of said bar,

and has its forward edge secured to the peripheral surface'of the heating and bending roll 7, or in engagement'with the bar 107 and roll, in advance 'ofthe-said'bar, by suitable securing means, such, for example, as securing strip 112 riveted in place or otherwise secured to the backing plateV 111 tend outside'the metallic printing plate durj ing the Operation of heating and bending And anv vint-eririediate ysheet of relatively thick lcompressible elastic or rnbbery material 114 is mounted between the metallic backing sheets 111, 113, andA is adapted `to yieldingly resist pressure applied to the outer side of the outer metallic` backing sheet 111, and to permit the metallic sheets 111, 113 to be pressed inward toward the metallic printing plate during thefoperation of vheatmg and bending the sam-e. The elastic isi lill? Y metallic sheets 111,113, and thereby. much ell) sheet llihhowever, acts tohold said metallic plates 111, 113 in yielding .relation toaeach other and spaced apart. Andthe said metallic plates 111, 113` act'to .preventlthe rubbery elastic cushioning sheet 114 from crawling and from spreading in. direct Contact with the 4sheet or con'ipressible material interposed between `the outer bacle ing sheets 111, 113, 114,'and tliemetal'lic printing plate. 113` 111v ma),Y be said to forman armored backing or laminatedA vplate orV set of back ing sheets whichhave the quality of being compressible `without causing or permitting either of the outer layers thereof to spread or crawl in the operation of heating-and 'bending a metallic printing plate. The cushioning sheet'v 114 may be approximately halt an inch in thickness. more or less, and is adapted'to be compressed Vbetweenthe thinner and more `dense than when in normalcondition and without injury to the compressible. sheet. A sheet or `sheets ot compressible material should be placed between the printing surface of the printingl plate andthe metallic` sheet material orarmored compressible "and elastic backing maN terial or sheets above described. purpose I prefer to employa sheet or sheets of paper pulp 115 which is spread orlaid in contact with and covering the printing' side and entire printing 'surface of the metallic printing plat-e'to ybe heated and bent. A sheet ot wool felt or similar compressib'le material 116 is laid over the sheet- 115; and a flexible sheet of hard rubber or similar material 117 harder than sheet ll'butvsolfter and more readily tlexedthan" themetallic sheets, is interposed .'"betw'een the metallic i sheet 113 and the compressible:sheet 11G which maybe o fdry` rwooly felt l blotting j paper; e

`In operation, a metallic printing plate, such as `an electrotype (ir-stereotypeplate. or printing plate of any desired metallic material is provided and covered with a layer, sheet or sheetsv of paperp'ulp or similar compressible material 115. j j

VThe lsheet 115 is covered with .aslieetf ot suitable compressible `material 116, such Ias wool t'elt already describedl` ywhich"inaybe in a dry condition. flexible sheet- 117l of ilexihle hardrubber, riibber composition or similar flexible material' laidy on -tliyepslieet- '116. A sheet of metal 113 is laidvon ythe sheet *117 vand a cushioning sheet of coinpressibley material 114 already described, is

laid on theinetallic backing sheet 113p`7and ybetween said sheet v113 n and the oute'rf inetallic backing sheet 111; and thefwhole Aof said elements are'placedv lin position topass between .the heating and bending I'rolls `90,7vvitl1 the edge of `th metallic printing plate in the Slot oiifnotch andY betaveenthe In short, theA sheets 111,

For this y rolls 'maybe either cylindrical or partly flat,

fcausethe finetall-ic printingfplate, the outer backingushe'et andA the intermediate sheet klmaterial tolbepassed between the rolls and compressed together and bent. The curved metallic printing plate is then removed from ythe heating and bending roll.

'The operation. is repeated inthe heating and. bending of other similar metallic printing plates, as desired, usingthe: same hollow heating and bending'roll for as many plates c lsuccessively as may be desired, or using heating and bending rolls ol ditlerent diam- :eters or sizes, interchangeably as desired. and without changing the drivinggear or `.worin and worm wheel mechanism. or disturbing or removing the driving inechanism from its support.

' The hollow heating and bending roll or or segmental.

' iIhave ftound 1n practice that in order to `obtain thebest and most satisfactory results '1. the hollowheating and bending roll or rolls -shouldbe heated to afveryhigh tempera-f ture, :such as is not readily lobtainable by other rneziins than'that of a gas burner adaptf edto'heat` the inside of v.the roll and by pre1- Vcrencerlocated .inside ot' the roll to beheated. Y The hollow `roll '7 is provided withk an inin'er annular drum or cylindrical inner wall `118 the lower end of which rests on the `brurnerplater G9, and the upperend of which tits over or in snug fitting' engagement with Vvan 'annular vflange portion `119in the upper end wall 67, thus forming an annularheat` ing" or combustion chamber 68 into which -theopenings TO'in the' burner plate 169 llead from .the gas yor fuel vreceiving chamber?- 1.

A concave burner cap 120 in the form of an inverted bowl or cup is mounted at the `lowerend of the hollow spindle 8, and by preference detachablyl `connected therewith Iby screw vthreads or otherY suitable'connecting means and an air inlet space is provided whichleads-'into the fuel passage formed by. the hollow spindle or vtube Sinto the lower end of which thefnpper end of the fuel supplypipe' extends loosely inthe form ofV a nozzle, thus forming `burner of the type commonly known'afi a lunsenV burner, which in the form here rshown anddescribed comprises the cup 120.r supply pipe or nozzle 75, hollowfrotative vshatt or spindle v8, burner plate 69 andcharnber 71. lIt is obvious that p member, for rotating the same and thereby said roll. 7. In a machine for heating and bending metallic printing plates. the combination oi"` a hollow heating and bending roll forming an inner combustion chamber having air inlet and outlet openings, burner member located inside of and adapted to rotate with the roll, a rotative roll-supporting member or turntable having a hollow vertical spindle adapted to permit the introduction of fuel through the hollow spindle and turntable to the burner, said spindle forming a rotative fuel-supply conduit having a gas and air receiving opening in the lower end of said conduit. a stationary gas-supply pipe adapted to discharge a supply of gas into said opening in the rotative conduit, means for operatively connecting the roll with said rotative roll-supporting member or turntable, and driving mechanism operatively connected with the rotative roll-supporting member or turntable for rotating the same and said roll.

8. In a machine for heating' and bending metallic printing plates, the combination of aV hollow heating and bending roll forming an inner combustion chamber having inlet and outlet openings, a perforated burner member located inside of the roll and forming a gas-containing chamber, a hollow drum extending upward from said perforated burner member on the inside of the roll and forming an annular peripheral heating chamber between said drum and the peripheral wall of the roll, a. rotative roll-supporting member or turntable having a hollow depending spindle forming a fuel-supply conduit communicating with said burner and having a gas and air receiving opening in the bottom end of said conduit, means for introducing fuel through said hollow spindle to the burner, means for detachably connecting the roll with the said rotative roll-supporting member or turntable, and driving mechanism operatively connected with the rotative roll-supporting member or turntable, for rotating the same and said roll.

9. In a machine for heating and bending metallic printing plates, the combination of.

a hollow heating and bending roll forming 'a heating chamber and having a peripheral portion adapted to operatively engage a printing` platerto be heated and bent, an-

outer fiexible metallic backing sheet secured to said roll and adapted to extend outside of and over a metallic printing plate to be operated upon, an inner flexiblev metallic sheet, an intermediate cushioning sheet of compressible elastic material, such for example as compressible rubber,'interposed between said flexible metallic sheets, a compressible sheet interposed between the inner kflexible metallic sheet andthe printing side of the printing plate, means for heating the hollow heating and bending roll, a second roll adapted to operatively engage the outer llexible metallic backing sheet, and means for rotating the hollow heating and bending roll, to simultaneously and progressively bend the compressible sheet and the heated metallic printing plate together.

l0. In a machine for heating and bending metallic printing plates, the combination of a hollow heating and bending' roll forming a heating chamber and having a peripheral portion adapted to operatively engage a printing plate to be heated and bent, an outer flexible metallic backing sheet adapted to extend outside of such printing plate, an inner iexible metallic sheet over which said outer backing sheet extends, an intermediate cushioning sheet of compressible elastic material interposed between said flexible metallic sheets, a sheet of compressible material, such for example as wood pulp, adapted to engage and fill the int-erstices and depressions in the printing side of the metallic printing plate, a second roll adapted to operatively engage the outer flexible metallic backing sheet, and driving and heating means adapted torotate the roll and simultaneously and progressively heat and bend the sheet of compressible filler material and the engaged metallic printing plate together.

l1. In a machine for heating and bending metallic printing plates, the combination of a hollow heating and bending roll forming a heating chamber and having a peripheral portion adapted rto operatively engage a metallic printing plate to be heated and bent, an outer flexible metallic backing sheet secured to said roll and adapted to extend outside of such printing plate, an inner flexible sheet over which said outer backing lsheet extends, an intermediate cushioning sheet of elastic compressible material interposed between said flexible sheets, a sheet of compressible material, adapted to engage the printing side of the metallic printing plate, plateengaging means on said hollow heating and bending roll for holding the margin ofthe printing plate in posit-ion on the periphery of the said roll, a second roll adapted to operatively engage the outer flexible metallic backing sheet, and driving and heating means adapted t0 rotate the roll and simultaneously and progressively heat and bend the plate-engaging sheet and metallic printing plate together. y

Signed at Chicago, in the county of Cool-1 and State of Illinois, this 21st day of April, 

